Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1943-08-01

PERRANPORTH

Today’s flying consisted of two aircraft practicing navigation, two aircraft tests and one section was engaged on convoy patrol.

1943-08-02

Two sections were engaged on convoy patrol. Twelve aircraft carried out air to ground firing. Formation flying was practices by five aircraft, these aircraft also had some cine-camera gun practice. Two other aircraft practiced D/F homing.

1943-08-03

At 0910 hours, twelve aircraft led by F/LT. WROBLEWSKI, Z. took off from here to take part in a No. 10 Group Circus No. 48. They were to be part of the free lance wing and accompany Whirlwind bombers which were going-out to bomb Guiparas aerodrome near BREST. Our aircraft flew to Lizard Point. Rendezvoused with the bombers and flew for 16 minutes at sea level, then climbing to 16,000 feet. The bombers could not carry out their task owing to the cloudy weather which was 2,000 to 5,000 feet first layer of clouds and 9,000 to 12,000 feet second layer. No enemy aircraft were seen and no A.A. fire encountered. W/O. Lewczynski, R. landed immediately after the take off owing to a defect in the drop tank. P/O. MAKOWSKI’s engine caught fire North of BREST as a result of engine failure and he was ordered to bale out. The remainder of our aircraft – ten aircraft – landed back at 1055 hours.
At 1945 hours, the Squadron, twelve aircraft. led by F/LT. WROBLEWSKI, Z. took off again for a Circus No. 49 which had the same task as the Circus 48. Our Squadron rendezvoused with the Whirlwind over Lizard Point. Flew at sea level for 15 minutes, then climbed to 15,000 feet. Turned to the left before the target F/O. ZBROZEK saw enemy aircraft flying from Brest at about 3,000 feet lower than himself. He dived at them and recognised it to be a modified F.W. 190 with its nose painted red. F/O. ZBROZEK fired at one of the F.W’s from 400 yards but did not see the result as the enemy aircraft dived towards BREST. The Squadron recrossed the French Coast near the Ile Vierze and landed back at 2120 hours. The enemy A.A. fire encountered was fairly heavy at the height of 15,000 feet.
Training flying was carried out during the day. Air to ground firing was practiced also attacks were made on Wellington aircraft. Two sections of two aircraft each were scrambled is the afternoon but no enemy aircraft were encountered.

1943-08-04

At 1130 hours, 10 aircraft, led by W/CDR. ZAK took off for a No. 10 Group Ramrod – Armed shipping recco near BREST. They escorted six Whirlwinds and acted as anti-flak and close escort. Rendezvoused at 1140 hours over Lizard Point, from there they flew at sea level to the Isle of Quessant, from there to the Isle of Sein. There they turned right and flew 314° for ten minutes then changing it for 014°, flew over Lizard point landing back at 1320 hours. No enemy shipping was seen. Other flying was six aircraft engaged on convoy patrol.

1943-08-05

Flying consisted only of two aircraft being tested and two aircraft practicing low flying and dog fighting.

1943-08-06

No flying at all today owing to bad weather.

1943-08-07

Flying training consisted of air to air firing, air to ground firing and low level attacks Army co-operation. One aircraft was tested. At 1430 Hours, 1 section was scrambled. They patrolled until 1500 hours but saw no enemy aircraft.

1943-08-08

At 0740 hours, four aircraft were scrambled. They patrolled over the channel until 0840 hours but unfortunately once more no enemy aircraft were seen. Later in the day the weather became really U/S and did not allow any further flying.

1943-08-09

Twelve aircraft led by F/LT. WROBLEWSKI, Z. flew to Manston. From MANSTON they took off at 1740 hours led by F/LT. WROBLEWSKI, Z. to take part in a Ramrod 191 No. 11 Group. They acted as escort cover to 36 Marauders going out to bomb the aerodrome near St. OMER. Rendezvoused over MANSTON at 11,000 feet, set course to French Coast. Made several turns over the target as the clouds were very thick. The target was not located and the whole formation flew back. No enemy aircraft were encountered during this operation. The A.A fire was heavy and accurate. One Marauder was damaged and it was escorted to the English coast by our Squadron. Clouds over target were 9/10ths. They landed back in Tangmere at 1915 hours. After refuelling at the said station our Squadron took off for Coltishall.

1943-08-10

Our aircraft flew from Coltishall to Churchstanton and from there back to base at Perranporth. There was no other flying today.

1943-08-11

At 1145 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a Roadstead No. 74 operation. They rendezvoused over Predannack and set course at sea level. Our Squadron following the formation of bombers and No. 302 Polish Squadron. No. 302 Squadron attacked E Boats in the estuary of Abernach and say Crew’s going for cover. The bombers attacked next. Our Squadron orbitted at 20.00 feet covering the withdrawal. The bombers, 8 Whirlwinds, carried two 250 lb. bombs each. Four E Boats were seen to blow up, one E Boat was left burning. Some light flak was encountered from shore, intense light flak from shipping. Visibility was good. the aircraft landed back at base at 1615 hours.
Other flying consisted of two aircraft tests and one section was engaged on convoy patrol. At about 2000 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off for MARTLESHAM.

1943-08-12

From MARTLESHAM, the pilots flew on to TANGMERE. At 1825 hours, they took off led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. to take part in a Ramrod. They were recalled though when over the Channel and landed back at 1925 hours.

1943-08-13

The pilots flew from Tangmere to EXETER on the way to base. They had to stay there and wait for favourable weather conditions.

1943-08-14

With the improvement in the weather, the aircraft which had had to stay at Exeter were able to proceed onward to base at Perranporth.

1943-08-15

Flying training consisted of air to air firing, air to ground firing, and photo attacks. At 1445 hours, twelve aircraft led by S/Ldr. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a CIRCUS 51, they were to act as close escort for 8 Whirlwinds. They rendezvoused at 1500 hours over Lizard Point and set course for GUIPAVAS Aerodrome, near BREST. They flew for 15 minutes at sea level, then climbed to 13,000 feet. When about 3 miles from French Coast, the whole formation was recalled by Operations. One Flight landed back at 1600 hours. The other flight patrolled over base for another hour. No enemy aircraft seen.

1943-08-16

Extensive flying training was carried out. It consisted of Air to air firing, formation flying, and photo attacks. Two aircraft were tested. Dusk and Night flying was carried out until 2330 hours.

1943-08-17

Nine aircraft, led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, Z. took off at 0850 hours to take part in a Ramrod No. 74 of No. 10 Group, they were to act as escort cover. They escorted twelve Whirlwinds to Guipavas Aerodrome. Rendezvous was made over Lizard point at 0900 hours. They flew at sea level for 17 miles then climbed to 6,000 feet. The bombers turned back when six miles from the French Coast without having bombed the target. Our aircraft landed back at 0955 hours. No enemy aircraft were encountered and there was no A.A. resistance. Four aircraft were scrambled but our pilots did not meet any enemy aircraft.

1943-08-18

PERRANPORTH

Flying training was carried out, air to air firing and formation flying and cine-camera gun practices.
Eleven aircraft took off at 1815 hours led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. to met as target support for ten Bostons which went out to take photographs between the Ille de Berts and [Plane pal].
They rendezvoused with the Bostons over Lizard Point at 1827 hours. Flew at sea level for 20 minutes. Than climbed for 9 minutes to 11,000 feet. Crossed French Coast over […….] , turned right and flew towards the ton of [………], turned right again and flew towards CUISSNY, going down to 6,000 feet. They recrossed the French Coast and landed back at 2000 hours.

1943-08-19

Apart from slight training flying, there was a scramble today but nothing special happened. The enemy was not encountered.

1943-08-20

One scramble over base and one aircraft test was all the flying. Again no enemy aircraft were seen.

1943-08-21

PERRANPORTH TO FAIRLOP

Sixteen aircraft were led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. and flew from PERRANPORTH TO FAIRLOP ON Movement of Squadron. The remainder of the Squadron was moved the day previous, during the night. Our […….. later ] but nothing [……..]

1943-08-22

Aircraft tests and sector recco was the only flying today.

1943-08-23

FAIRLOP

Twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off from here for a Ramrod 214. They were [seting] as escort cover for 24 Mitchells which bombed St. OMER Aerodrome. They took off at 0730 hours on this operation and flew at sea level for 15 minutes, than climbing to 3,000 feet. Rendezvous was made over North Foreland at 0800 hours. They climbed until the French Coast was reached and crossed over GRAVELINES at 0810 hours and were over the target at 0816 hours, and some of the pilots saw the bombs burst south west of the aerodrome. They recrossed the French Coast over Cape Griz Nez and landed base at 0900 hours.

1943-08-24

FAIRLOP

Twelve aircraft led by W/CDR. ZAK took off at 1730 hours to take part in a Ramrod No. 215 as part of a diversion Wing escorting 73 Marauders. The meeting was made over Orfordness at 1805 hours at 12,000 feet. The whole formation flew then at a course of 143° for 16 minutes. They then turned left and flew at 045° for seven minutes. Turned left again and returned to base landing back at 1910 hours. No enemy aircraft of A.A. encountered.

1943-08-24

First half of the day was spent by the pilots practicing formation flying. Two aircraft flew to France for a weather test.
At 1830 hours an operation was planed, to take place from Redhill. Twelve aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. flew to Redhill. They took off from Redhill at 1830 hours. Rendezvoused with 18 Bostons over Beachy Head and flew as escort cover over to France, The Bostons were to bomb BEAMOST Aerodrome near ROUEN. From Beachy Head, the formation flew at sea level for four minutes and started to climb, crossing the French Coast over Becamp at 16,000 feet and over the target the Spitfires made a ringht turn. Our pilots saw the bombers drop their bombs very accurately on the aerodrome and buildings. Enemy aircraft F.W. 190s were seen but not engaged as they were “battling” with some English Spitfires. A.A. fire was encountered but it was neither heavy nor accurate.

1943-08-26

Flying training only was carried out. This consisted of formation flying, cine-camera gun attacks, local flying, and aircraft test. A number of sorties took place for these practices.

1943-08-27

At 0640 hours, 13 aircraft, led by S/Ldr. KORNICKI, F. flew to Redhill and landed there at 0705 hours. At 0830 hours, they took off from Redhill to take part in a Ramrod 56 and were to act as escort cover for 18 Marauders which were going out to bomb an aerodrome South of Rouen. Rendezvous was made over Beachy Head at 500 feet. Flew at sea-level for 15 minutes. They then climbed to 2,000 feet. They were recalled when halfway over the channel owing to he bad weather conditions. They landed back at Fairlop at 0935 hours.
Flying training was carried out during the day. At 1835 hours 13 aircraft, once again led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a Ramrod 58 of No. 11 Group. They were to be part of the fighter cover to 60 Fortresses going to out to bomb an aerodrome near ST. OMER. Rendezvous was made over Berck S. Mer at 20,000 feet. They flew to St. Pol, turned left and came over the target. They saw the bombs burst on the aerodrome and between the buildings on it. On the way back, the formation flew over Mordych and North Foreland, landing back at 2020 hours. Enemy counter-action was weak. Six M.E. 109s were seen but they did not interfere with the operation. Over the target 2 Fortresses wee hit by A.A. fire. The crew of one were seen to bale out.

1943-08-28

Flying training was very limited. It consisted of 10 sorties only for Formation flying.

1943-08-29

Flying training was quite extensive today. There were many sorties for cine-camera gun practices, formation flying and photo attacks. Three aircraft were tested.

1943-08-30

During the morning and early afternoon flying training was carried out. At 1825 hours 12 aircraft led by S/Ldr. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a Ramrod S. 14 as escort cover for 36 Marauders which were to bomb ammunition dumps north of St. OMER, in the woods. Rendezvous over Herne Bay at 14,000 feet. French coast was crossed over GRAVELINES. Over the target a left turn was made and course set for home. French Coast recrossed over Montych and landing back at 1945 hours. No enemy aircraft were encountered. A.A Fire was slight and not accurate.
F/O. POPIEL had to return earlier owing to engine failure.

1943-08-31

At 0635 hours, 12 aircraft led by S/Ldr. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in an 11 Group Ramrod S. 16. They were act as escort cover for 36 Marauders. The bombers were going out to bomb MARINGAREE Aerodrome North of BETHUNE. The formation climbed to 12,000 feet over base and flew to the rendezvous at DUNGENESS. The French Coast was crossed over Le TOUQUET. The Squadron was over the target at 0722 hours. After the bombing had been carried out, the formation turned left and landed back at 0815 hours at Fairlop. Medium – heavy A.A. fire encountered but it was not heavy, neither was it accurate. No enemy aircraft were seen. The pilots of our Squadron did not see the results of the bombing.
Today’s second operation took place at 1700 hours when 12 aircraft led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a Ramrod S. 18. The Squadron were to act as cover for 24 Mitchells which were going out to bomb the woods “Le foret de Hepdin”. Rendezvous was made over Beachy Head at 1726 hours at 12,000 feet. The French coast was crossed over Berck S. Mer. The whole formation turned back owing to bad weather conditions over France. No enemy aircraft were encountered and so the final operation of the month closed for our Squadron. A.A. fire was not experienced. Our aircraft returned safely at base at 1825 hours.

Kornicki F S/L
Squadron Leader, Commanding
No. 317 Polish Squadron.